Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Central Sensitization Inventory Among Chinese Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

J Pain Res. 2024 Dec 14:17:4263-4276. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S499700. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Purpose: This research aims to develop and validate the Chinese version of the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI-CV) for patients suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP). The study evaluates both the validity and reliability of the CSI-CV.

Patients and methods: The cross-cultural adaptation of the scale strictly adhered to the principles of Bombardier and Beaton. Initially, two professors of Chinese-English translation independently translated the original CSI scale into the target language, and then collaborated with an expert in cross-cultural adaptation to merge into a single version. This version was back-translated into English by two professors whose native language is English. Following this, the scale underwent preliminary review by bilingual experts and the research team, and was preliminarily tested, ultimately culminating in the formation of the CSI-CV version. A total of 310 patients with CNSLBP completed the CSI-CV, while 50 of them repeated the survey one week later to test the stability of the scale. The CSI-CV's reliability, validity, and internal consistency were assessed through exploratory factor analysis (EFA), correlation coefficients, and Cronbach's α.

Results: EFA revealed five distinct factors from the 25 CSI-CV items, covering physical symptoms, emotional distress, fatigue and sleep disturbances, headaches and jaw symptoms, and urinary issues, with a total explained variance of 60.24%. The Cronbach's α was 0.910, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.924, indicating strong reliability. Moderate correlations were observed between CSI-CV scores and Five-Level EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire (r = -0.515), the Brief Pain Inventory (r = 0.586) and Oswestry Disability Index (r = 0.416), demonstrating significant associations with these measures.

Conclusion: The CSI-CV exhibits excellent internal consistency, factor structure, and reliability. Its successful cultural adaptation offers valuable insights for improving treatment approaches for patients with CNSLBP.

Keywords: Chinese; central sensitization inventory; chronic non-specific low back pain; cultural adaptation.

Grants and funding

CX has received funding from Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province (2023-YBSF-464), Cultivation Project for General Project of Xi’an Health Commission (2024ms10) and 2024 ministry of Education Humanities and Social Sciences Project (24YJAZH032). JBM has received funding from the Program for Innovation Team of Shaanxi Province (2023-CX-TD-73).